Body Shape Guide
The Hello Moon guide to creating outfits that reflect your personality and suit your body shape
At Hello Moon, we believe that a successful outfit isn't about following rules. We want to make fashion easier in your everyday life.
This guide is designed to help you understand your body shape and put together outfits that make you feel good, without boxing you in.
Our goal is to help you avoid the dreaded "I have nothing to wear" by making it easier to create the right combinations in your wardrobe.
Understanding your body shape
Body shape is simply the way volume is naturally distributed across your silhouette.
It can be a useful tool for understanding:
- why certain cuts appeal to you immediately
- why others seem less harmonious to you
- why some outfits give you a sense of “just the right balance”
But it does not define your style. At Hello Moon, we prefer to see body shape as a starting point, not a rule.
How to take your measurements easily
To better understand your body shape, you can look at three areas: your shoulders, waist, and hips.
In front of a mirror, the idea is simply to identify:
- what is the most structured
- what is the most defined
- what is the softest or most fluid
That is more than enough to determine your body shape.
The 6 body shapes
A, V, H, X, O, 8
A-shaped body type
The lower body is more prominent than the upper body. The most common visual goal is to create a natural balance between the shoulders and hips.
👉 Emphasize your shoulders with ruffled tops, balloon sleeves, Breton shirts, V-neck, square, boat or off-the-shoulder necklines.
👉 Dark-toned bootcut, flared, straight-leg or mom jeans are preferable. High-waisted styles and fluid fabrics are recommended.
V-shaped body type
Your shoulders are broader than your hips. The goal is to play with proportions to balance the lower half of your body with the upper half.
👉 To soften the shoulders, opt for flowing blouses, backless or wide-strap tops, small prints, and long tops.
👉 Straight-leg, mom, or bootcut jeans are ideal. Wide-leg trousers, culottes, or palazzo pants add volume and lengthen the legs. Prints and bright colors can be the stylish highlight of your outfit.
H-shaped body type
Your shoulders, waist, and hips are in harmonious alignment. This is a very versatile silhouette, allowing you to experiment with almost any cut.
👉 Round, V-neck, or boat necklines, turtlenecks, shoulder details, and puff sleeves are all suitable. Wrap tops and belts help define your waist.
👉 Cigarette and paperbag trousers are must-haves. Low-rise styles are recommended. Slim, boyfriend, and bootcut cuts also work very well.
X-shaped body type
The waist is naturally defined, with a balanced proportion between the shoulders and hips. This silhouette suits fitted clothing, but not only.
👉 Fitted shirts, V-necklines, wrap tops, and cowl necks are particularly flattering.
👉 Loose, fluid trousers highlight the length of the legs. Slim and bootcut jeans are recommended.
O-shaped body type
The shapes are softer (less defined) and harmoniously balanced. Flowing clothing that adds movement is recommended. Add a structured piece to give your outfit that extra touch.
👉 Tops that fall to the hips, V-neck, round, square, bateau or Bardot necklines enhance the décolleté. Empire and wrap styles elongate the silhouette and define the waist.
👉 High-waisted trousers enhance the shape of the buttocks. Straight and wide-leg cuts rebalance the silhouette.
Hourglass body shape
Very similar to the hourglass body shape, with more defined curves. The idea is to emphasize the waist if you feel like highlighting this body shape.
👉 In general, fitted cuts are recommended. V-necklines or square necklines, as well as slightly unbuttoned shirts, enhance your curves.
👉 Opt for high-waisted bottoms, slim, mom and bootcut styles! Cigarette and carrot-leg trousers also flatter the legs beautifully.
Why does it work?
Our eye is naturally drawn to lines, shapes, and contrasts.
An outfit works when:
- the proportions are visually balanced
- the shapes work well together
- or, on the contrary, create a deliberate contrast
There is no right or wrong combination. Just different effects.
Our ideas for your wardrobe
At Hello Moon, we believe that a great outfit starts with the right combination. That’s why we select clothing that pairs easily with one another. The goal isn’t to fill your wardrobe, but to help you put together outfits that make you feel good, without spending long minutes hesitating in front of your closet.
Take a high-waisted pair of jeans, for example! The same piece can complement a multitude of styles, depending on your mood:
- with a flowy blouse and ankle boots for a feminine, elegant silhouette
- with a T-shirt and a denim jacket for a relaxed everyday look
- with a slightly tucked-in knit sweater and a belt to naturally define the silhouette
- with a blazer and loafers for a dressier outfit
A wardrobe’s richness doesn’t come from the number of clothes it contains, but from how easily they can be combined. This is the philosophy that guides every Hello Moon selection.
Béryl’s advice
Whenever I select a new piece, I always ask myself the same question: what will you wear it with once it’s in your wardrobe? If I can easily imagine several ways to style it, it has earned its place! Because the clothes we wear often are usually the ones that naturally fit in with the rest of our wardrobe.
Hello Moon wardrobe essentials
Whatever your body shape, certain pieces really make life easier:
- a well-cut pair of jeans
- fluid trousers
- a lightweight shirt
- a knitted sweater
- a blazer or structured jacket
- a fluid dress
- a more fitted dress, depending on your mood
- a long coat
- a belt
- an easy-to-carry bag
The idea isn’t to have lots of clothes, but to have the right basics to easily create looks.
Useful links to help you choose your clothes more easily
Useful links to help you choose your clothes
To complete this guide, discover our other essential content:
Choosing the right size
➡️ Size guide
Finding the colors that flatter you
Understanding fabrics better
Tops & T-shirts • Shirts & Blouses • Jeans • Trousers • Shorts • Skirts • Dresses • Sets & Jumpsuits • Blazer • Sweaters & Cardigans • Jackets & Coats • Shoes • Accessories
What about during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a time when your silhouette naturally changes. That’s why advice related to body shape often becomes secondary to comfort.
Some styles can be particularly comfortable to wear, such as fluid dresses, loose blouses, elastic-waist trousers, or soft knitwear. Fabrics containing a touch of elastane or offering a fluid drape generally adapt more easily to changes in your body.
Every pregnancy is different, so the most important thing is to choose clothes that allow you to move freely and feel comfortable every day.
